Tram drivers who work for Metrolink in Greater Manchester and who are members of trade union Unite have voted to accept a three-year pay deal.

The deal will see affected tram drivers receive a 3.7% pay rise this year, backdated to January 2018. From January 2019, Manchester-based drivers will gain a 10% pay increase, and from January 2020 pay will increase in line with the retail price index (RPI).

The new pay offer means that grade three tram drivers, who have more than 18 months’ experience, are to be paid £30,000 a year from this January, and £33,000 a year by January 2019. More than 340 Unite members voted to accept.

Aline Frantzen, managing director at KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), said: “I’m delighted our drivers, who are Unite members, accepted the pay deal, agreed following meaningful discussions, which recognises the value of our drivers and is fair to all employees working at KAM.

“This has been achieved through the tireless work of KAM’s managers and Unite representatives to do the best by everyone and I’m truly grateful for the energy and professionalism that people committed to the process.”

Steve Davies, regional officer at Unite, added: “We are pleased with the very good package that our members have accepted, which must be one of the best such deals negotiated in the UK this year.

“The deal addresses the long-term concerns of our members who were angry at the fact that their previous pay levels were up to £7,000 less than tram drivers in other UK cities for doing the same job.

“As a result of the vote, our members will be working normally to keep the people of Greater Manchester on the move. Going forward, we wish to have a constructive dialogue with the management of Metrolink Manchester for the benefit of the travelling public and the workforce.”